Packing machine for cigarettes or the like

ABSTRACT

A cigarette packing machine wherein an intermittently driven adhesive-drying drum carries at its periphery an annulus of equally spaced pockets for open-ended packs which are filled with arrays of cigarettes. The drum is driven by steps each of which is a whole multiple of the distance between two neighboring pockets to advance the pockets into register with a first transfer station where the pockets receive open-ended packs from a feeding conveyor, and thereupon into register with a second transfer station where the packs are removed from the respective pockets. The distance between the second and first stations, as considered in the direction of rotation of the drum, is a whole multiple of the distance between two neighboring pockets, and the distance between the first and second stations equals or is a whole multiple of the distance between two neighboring pockets but is unequal to n steps wherein n is a whole number including one. This insures that each pocket which receives a pack at the first station completes more than one revolution prior to being removed at the second station. One or more folding devices are disposed at one or more additional stations which are located between the second and first stations and include instrumentalities for closing the open ends of packs.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,922,837

David Dec. 2, 1975 PACKING MACHINE FOR CIGARETTES OR [57] ABSTRACT THELIKE [75] Inventor: Harry David, Hamburg, Germany [73] Assigneez HauniWerke Karber & Co, KG, A cigarette packingmachine wherein anintermittently Hamburg, Germany dr1ven adheswe-drymg drum carnes at 1tsperlphery an annulus of equally spaced pockets for open-ended [22]Filed: Mar. 13, 1974 packs which are filled with arrays of cigarettes.The

I drum is driven by steps each of which is a whole multi- [21] Appl'450618 ple of the distance between two neighboring pockets to advancethe pockets into register with a first trans- [30] Foreign ApplicationPriority Data fer station where the pockets receive open-ended Mar. 28,1973 Germany 2315338 Packs from feeding conveyor and thereupon intoregister with a second transfer station where the packs 152] US. Cl53/234; 53/148 are removed from the respective Pockets The 51 int. c1.B65B 11/32 tame between the second and first stations as consid- [58]Field of Search 53/148, 234, 236, 225, ered in the direction of rotationof the drum, is 11 53/375; 93/12 C whole multiple of the distancebetween two neighboring pockets, and the distance between the first and[56] References Cit second stations equals or is a whole multiple of theUNITED STATES PATENTS distance between two neighboring pockets but isunl 870 533 8/1932 Scott 53/148 X equal to n steps wherein n is a wholenumber 1ncl ud- 2603925 7/1952 Moore n 53/379 X mg one. This insuresthat each pocket wh1ch recelves 3,057,126 10/1962 Chalmersum 53/183 X apack at the first station completes more than one 3335.176 5/1968whimkerm 53/234 X revolution prior to being removed at the second sta-3,608 270 9/1971 Rudszinat 3 23 X tion. One or more folding devices aredisposed at one 3,735,767 5/l973 Kruse 53/236 X or more additionalstations which are located between 3,802,325 4/1974 Bardenhagen 53/148 Xthe second and first stations and include instrumental- 3,813,849 6/1974Stambera 53/234 ities for losing pen ends of packs PrimaryExaminerTravis S. McGehee Assistant Examiner-John Sipos Attorney, Agent,or Firm-Peter K. Kontler; John Kurucy U r i\\\ i lll l'lll lifi 10Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 3 3,922,837

US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 US Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 2 of3 3,922,837

US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 3 of3 3,922,837

PACKING MACHINE FOR CIGARETTES OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to machines for manipulating smokersproducts in general, and more particularly to machines wherein portionsof and/or entire smokers products (such as discrete cigarettes, cigarsor cigarillos, blanks for the making of packs for cigarettes or thelike, partially finished or complete packs for cigarettes or the like,filter rod sectons and/or others) are transported in stepwise fashion,for example, past one or more treating stations. A typical example of amachine which can embody the present invention is a packing machine forcigarettes wherein arrays of cigarettes are introduced into open-endedpacks and the packs are thereupon closed and labelled prior tointroduction into a further packing machine which provides each packwith a transparent outer envelope (with or without a customary tearstrip), into a baling machine, into a carton filling machine or tostorage.

In certain presently known high-speed packing machines, open-ended packscontaining arrays of cigaretttes or other rod-shaped tobacco-containingarticles are introduced into pockets or analogous receiving means of adrying or conditioning conveyor which comprises means for heating thecontents of pockets so as to insure that the adhesive which bonds theoverlapping portions of the packs to each other can set within a shortperiod of time. In many instances, the drying conveyor is a drum orwheel which carries at its periphery an annulus of equally spacedpockets and is indexed by steps each of which has a length correspondingto the distance between the centers of two neighboring pockets. Thepockets receive open-ended packs at first transfer station and arerelieved of their contents at a second transfer station. The length ofthe are along which a filled pocket travels is invariably less than 360degrees, normally between 180 and 270 degrees. During travel from thefirst to the second transfer station, the pockets can be moved intoregister with one or more treating devices, for example, with deviceswhich close the open ends of packs before the respective pockets reachthe second transfer station. This leaves relatively little time for thedrying of adhesive which is applied to the overlapping portions of flapsand/or tucks at the previously open ends of the packs. Moreover, thetotal time for the drying of adhesive in other parts of the packs isalso relatively short since a pack must leave the drying conveyor beforethe respective pocket covers a distance of 360 degrees.

Attempts to promote the setting of adhesive within a short period oftime (i.e., while the respective pocket covers a distance of less than360 degrees) by intensifying the heating action (normally by resortingto electrical heaters) have met with little success. This is due to thefact that the heating action must be regulated with a very high degreeof accuracy in order (a) to insure a satisfactory setting of adhesiveand (b) to avoid charring of packs during the intervals of dwell of thedrying conveyor and/or to avoid the expulsion of moisture fromcigarettes, cigars or cigarillos in the packs. Therefore, the heatingaction must be reduced or interrupted whenever the drying conveyor isbrought to a halt or is driven at less than normal speed because evenshortlasting interruptions in the operation of the packing machine canentail substantial losses in output due to 2 charring or disfigurationof packs and/or excessive drying of confined tobacco-containingarticles.

It was further proposed to insure a satisfactory setting of adhesivewithout resorting to a very intensive heating action by employing largeand bulky drying conveyors which are provided with very large numbers ofpockets or otherwise configurated receiving means for cigarette packs orthe like. These pockets can receive and transport open-ended packs orfinished packs and 0 can support such packs for relatively long periodsof time if the number of pockets is very high and if the angulardistance between the first transfer station (where the packs enter thepockets) and the second transfer station (where the packs leave thepockets) is rather long. Such distance depends on the number of pocketsin the drying conveyor and on the position of the second transferstation relative to the first transfer station.

A drawback of relatively large, bulky and heavy drying conveyors is thatthey must be indexed or otherwise moved in stepwise fashion by powerfuldrives which consume substantial amounts of energy and whose parts aresubjected to extensive wear, especially in a high-speed packing machinewherein the indexing of the drying conveyor and other conveyors must becompleted within extremely short intervals of time. The accelerating anddecelerating forces which arise during indexing of a large and bulkydrying conveyor cannot be controlled with a requisite degree of accuracyso that the conveyor is likely to be indexed by steps of unequal length.

It was further proposed to reduce the diameters of drum-shaped dryingconveyors in packing machines without reducing the number of pockets byplacing the pockets close or immediately adjacent to each other. Thisreduces the problems which arise due to sudden acceleration ordeceleration of the conveyor but creates additional problems if thepacks which are supported by the drying conveyor are to be treated byfolding, tucking and/or analogous devices. Such devices take up acertain amount of space so that a pack which is adjacent to a pack inregister with a folding, tucking or other treating device is likely tointerfere with movements of component parts of the device and to therebyundergo deformation and/or other damage. Consequently, a relativelysmall drying conveyor which carries a large number of closely orimmediately adjacent pockets for open-ended packs must be followed by afurther conveyor whereon the open ends of the packs are closed andsealed before the packs are ready for introduction into a labelling,cellophanizing or carton filling machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide amachine for manipulating parts of and/or entire smokers products oranalogous commodities wherein the commodities can remain in thereceiving means of a drum-shaped or otherwise configurated conditioningconveyor for long periods of time without affecting the output of themachine and without necessitating the use of a bulky and heavy conveyor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improveddrying or conditioning conveyor for open-ended and/or closed packs whichcontain cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos or other smokers products.

A further object of the invention is to provide a drying conveyor whichcan be installed in existing packing machines as a superior substitutefor conventional dry- I 3 mg conveyors.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a drying conveyorwherein the pockets and/or otherwise configurated receiving means forparts of and/or entire smokers products can be placed close orimmediately to each other without interfering with the operation of oneor more devices which must fold, tuck, seal, label or otherwise treatthe commodities during transport with the drying conveyor.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a packing machinewhich embodies the improved drying conveyor and wherein the dryingconveyor cooperates with other parts of the machine in a novel energyandspace-saving way.

The invention is embodied in a machine for manipulating cigarettes,cigarette packs and/or other commodities forming part of or constitutingsmokers products, particularly in a packing machine for arrays ofcigarettes, cigars or cigarillos. The machine comprises conveyor means(e.g., a rotary drum which is indexible to turn stepwise about a fixedaxis) having an annulus of equally spaced pockets or otherwiseconfigurated receiving means for commodities, with the neighboringreceiving means of the annulus spaced apart from each other by apredetermined distance a, drive means for moving the conveyor meansstepwise in a predetermined direction and through second distances eachof which is a whole multiple (x) of a first distance a (for example, thesecond distance x times a may equal 2a or 3a) whereby the receivingmeans travel along an endless path past spaced-apart first and secondtransfer stations. The distance between the second and first transferstations, as considered in the direction of movement of the receivingmeans, equals at least one full second distance x times a, and thedistance between the first and second transfer stations (again asconsidered in the direction of movement of the receiving means) is equalto m first distances wherein m is a whole number including one. However,the distance m from the first to the second transfer station is unequalto n second distances (each second distance corresponds to the length ofa step performed by a receiving means in response to movement of theconveyor means between two successive intervals of dwell) wherein n is awhole number including one.

The machine further comprises means for feeding commodities to receivingmeans in register with the first transfer station during intervalsbetween successive movements of the conveyor means, and means foraccepting commodities from receiving means which register with thesecond transfer station during intervals between successive movements ofthe conveyor means. The aforementioned relationship between variousdistances insures that, if the conveyor means is a drum, wheel or chainhaving an annulus of receiving means which form a circle and thus travelalong an endless circular path, each commodity which is fed into areceiving means at the first transfer station completes more than onefull revolution prior to being removed from the respective receivingmeans at the second transfer station. In fact, each commodity cancomplete two or more full revolutions.

One or more treating devices which serve to fold, tuck, label and/orotherwise treat the commodities on the conveyor means can be disposedadjacent to the path of commodities from the second toward the firsttransfer station.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theimproved packing machine itself. however, both as to its constructionand its mode of operation, together with additional features andadvantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of thefollowing detailed description of certain specific embodiments withreference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary schematic sideelevational view of a cigarette packing machine which embodies theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view as seen in thedirection of arrows from the line IIII of FIG 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view as seen in thedirection of arrows from the line III-III of FIG. 1; i

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of a first folding unit inthe packing machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front elevational view of a second folding unit inthe packing machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevational view of the drying orconditioning conveyor in a second packing machine;

FIG. 7 is a similar schematic side elevational view of the dryingconveyor in a third packing machine; and

FIG. 8 is a similar schematic elevational view of the drying conveyor ina fourth packing machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a portion ofa cigarette packing machine which comprises a drum-shaped drying orconditioning conveyor 1 for cigarette packs 4 (see FIG. 2) containingarrays of cigarettes 3, for example,,twenty cigarettes in the customarydistribution including two outer layers of seven cigarettes each and amedian layer of six cigarettes which are staggered with respect to thecigarettes of the outer layers. The conveyor 1 has at its periphery anannulus of equally spaced receiving means or pockets 2 each of which isdimensioned to receive a filled pack 4. The distance a between thecenters of neighboring pockets 2 is uniform along the entirecircumference of the conveyor 1. The drive means for intermittentlymoving the conveyor 1 in the direction indicated by arrow 13 comprises agenevamovement or an analogous transmission including a shaft lq onwhich the conveyor 1 is mounted and which is in stalled in the frame ofthe packing machine. The drive means is arranged to advance the conveyor1 by steps having a length x times (I wherein x equals 2 whereby thepockets 2 advance along an endless circular path extending past a firsttransfer station 8 where the pockets 2 which register with this stationreceive open-ended packs 4, and past a second transfer station 14 wherefinished packs 4 are removed from the registering pockets 2. Theadhesive which has been applied to the packs 4 and 4 prior andeventually subsequent to introduction into the respective pockets 2 isheated and is thereby caused to set by a heating device a portion ofwhich is shown at lb.

The conveyor 1 is provided with 63 pockets 2, the distance between thetransfer stations 8, 14 (as considered in the direction of arrow 13) is33a and, therefore,

the distance between the transfer stations 14 and 8 (again as consideredin the direction of arrow 13) is 3041 The means for feeding packs 4 andarrays of ciga rcttes 3 to those pockets 2 which register with the firsttransfer station 8 druing intervals between successive stepwise advancesof the drying conveyor 1 comprises a second drum-shaped conveyor 6 whichis driven intermittently in the direction indicated by arrow 13a and hasan annulus of equally spaced hollow mandrels 7 (see also FIG. 2) each ofwhich can receive an array of cigarettes 3 and is surrounded by anopen-ended pack 4. The open-ended packs 4 are formed on the respectivemandrels 7 in a manner not forming part of the present invention.Reference may be had to the commonly owned US. Pat. No. 3,750,676granted Aug. 7, 1973 to Kruse et al.

The means for transferring open-ended packs 4 and arrays of cigarettes 3from the mandrels 7 at the transfer station 8 into the registeringreceiving means or pockets 2 of the drying conveyor 1 comprises a pusher12 (see particularly FIG. 2) which is reciprocable in directionsindicated by arrows 9 and 11. When moving in the direction indicated byarrow 9 (while the conveyors 1 and 6 are at a standstill), the pusher 12expels the adjacent array of cigarettes 3 from the mandrel 7 and causesthe cigarettes to strip the open-ended pack 4 off the mandrel so thatthe pack (with the array of cigarettes 3 therein) enters the registeringpocket 2.

A finished pack 4' which dwells at the second transfer station 14 duringan interval between two successive stepwise movements of the dryingconveyor 1 is expelled from the respective pocket 2 by a second transfermember or pusher 18 (see FIG. 3) and is accepted by a third drum-shapedconveyor 21 which is indexible in the direction indicated by arrow 13b.The conveyor 21 has containers or pockets 19 which are pivotably mountedthereon, as at 22, and serve to receive and hold finished packs 4'during the application of customary revenue labels (not shown). Eachpocket 19 is pivotable through 90 degrees between a receiving position(shown in FIG. 3) in which it extends in parallelism with the axis ofthe conveyor 21 and a second position in which it extends radially ofthe conveyor 21. The means for moving the pockets 19 between suchpositions comprises transmissions 23 each of which may include a wormwheel 23a on the pivot member 22 for the respective pocket 19' and aworm 23b meshing with the worm wheel 23a and mounted on a worm shaft 230which is rotated back and forth in certain angular positions of theconveyor 21. One of several satisfactory methods of applying revenuelabels (or other types of labels) to finished packs is disclosed in theaforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,750,676 to Kruse et al.

The pusher 18 of FIG. 3 transfers a finished pack 4' from the pocket 2at the transfer station 14 into the registering pocket 19 of theconveyor 21 while moving in the direction indicated by arrow 16. Thepusher 18 is thereupon retracted (arrow 17) and is ready to perform afurther forward stroke (arrow 16) as soon as another filled pocket 2reaches and is arrested at the transfer station 14. Due to theaforementioned number of pockets 2, the length of steps performed by thedrying conveyor 1, and the distance between the transfer stations 8 and14, each pocket 2 which receives an open-ended pack 4 at the firsttransfer station 8 completes more than one revolution (about 1%revolutions) before it comes to a halt at the second transfer station14.

Two treating stations 25a and 25!; are adjacent to the path of pockets 2on the conveyor 1. These treating stations are located between thetransfer stations 14 and 8, as considered in the direction of arrow 13.The distance between the stations 14, 25a equals 5a, and the distancebetween the stations 14, 25h equals 7a. i.e., the distances between thefirst transfer station 8 and the treating stations 25a, 25b respectivelyequal 38a and 40a.

A first folding unit 24 which is installed at the treating station 25ais shown in FIG. 4. This folding unit comprises instrumentalities 27, 28for folding over the two small tucks 4a (FIG. 2) at the open ends of therespective packs 4. The instrumentalities 27, 28 are small blockshaving'sleeves 27a, 28a which are slidable along a stationary guide rod29 at the treating station 25a. The upper ends of the blocks 27, 28 arearticulately coupled to inclined links 32, 33 which are articulatelycoupled to a rod 31 movable in directions indicated by a doubleheadedarrow 34. When the rod 31 moves upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 4, theblocks 27, 28 fold the respective tucks 4a over the adjacent ends ofcigarettes 3 in the pack 4 at the treating station 25a.

The conveyor 1 then advances the pocket 2 with the partly finished pack4 therein to register with folding instrumentalities 36, 37 of thefolding unit 26 shown in FIG. 6. These instrumentalities resemble bladeswhich are pivotable in directions indicated by double-headed arrows 38,39 so as to fold the flaps 412 at the open end of the respective pack 4over each other and to thus complete theconversion of the pack 4 into afinished pack 4'. The blade 36 is pivoted clockwise, as viewed in FIG.5, prior to counterclockwise pivoting of the blade 37, or vice versa.That flap 4b which is folded over the other flap is coated with adhesivewhich causes the flaps of the pack 4 to adhere to each other, and theadhesive is caused to set while the respective pack advances toward,past and beyond the first transfer sta tion 8 on its way into registerwith the pusher 18 at the second transfer station 14.

A folding unit closely resembling the unit 24 of FIG. 4 is shown anddescribed in the US. Pat. No. 3,750,676 to Kruse et al. This patent alsoshows and describes a folding unitwhich is somewhat similar to thefolding unit 24 of FIG. 5.

A heating device which can be used to heat the pockets of theconditioning conveyor is disclosed in thhe commonly owned copendingapplication Ser. No. 331,028 now US. Pat. No. 3,802,325 filed Feb. 2,1973 by Bardenhagen et al.

The operation of the machine including the structure shown in FIGS. 1 to5 is as follows:

The aforementioned transmission (including the shaft 1a for the conveyor1, the shaft 6a for the conveyor 6 and the shaft 21a for the conveyor21) drives the conveyors 1, 6 and 21 in stepwise fashion (arrows 13, 13aand 13b). The length of each step performed by the drying conveyor 1 is2a, the length of each step performed by the conveyor 6 equals thedistance between the centers of two neighboring mandrels 7, and thelength of each step performed by the conveyor 21 equals the distancebetween the centers of two neighboring pockets 19. Each mandrel 7 whichmoves into register with an empty pocket 2 at the first transfer station8 contains an array of twenty cigarettes 3 and is surrounded by anopen-ended pack 4. The pusher 12 is open-ended pack 4 into theregistering empty pocket 2 of the drying conveyor 1. Such transfer takesplace while the conveyors l and 6 are at a standstill and results inautomatic stripping of the pack 4 off the respective mandrel 7 by theleading ends of cigarettes 3 of the array which is in register with theadvancing pusher 12. The pusher 12 is thereupon retracted (arrow 1 1 inFIG. 2) before the transmission advances the conveyors by a step to movethe next filled mandrel 7 into register with an empty pocket 2 at thefirst transfer station 8. As stated above, the manner in which thearrays of cigarettes 3 are introduced into mandrels 7 and the openendedpacks 4 are assembled on the mandrels 7 upstream of the transfer station8 forms no part of the present invention. Each open-ended pack 4 isformed by suitable manipulation of one, two or more blanks at least oneof which has overlapping portions which are coated with adhesive. Suchadhesive is caused to set during transport of the respective pack 4 in apocket 2 of the conveyor 1.

The pocket 2 which receives a pack 4 and an array of cigarettes 3 at thetransfer station 8 bypasses the second transfer station 14 while thedrying conveyor 1 performs its seventeenth step so that such pack cannotbe transferred into a pocket 19 of the conveyor 21. When the conveyor 1completes its nineteenth step, the pack 4 reaches the first treatingstation 25a and the rod 31 is caused to move upwardly, as viewed in FIG.4, so that the blocks 27 and 28 fold the respective tucks 4a. The blocks27, 28 are retracted to the positions shown in FIG. 4 before the dryingconveyor 1 is set in motion to advance the partially finished pack intothe proper position with respect to the folding unit 26 at thesecondtreating station 25b. The blades 36, 37 then complete theconversion of the pack 4 into a finished pack 4' and are retracted tothe positions shown in FIG. before the conveyor 1 begins to move againto advance the pack 4 toward the first transfer station 8. This stationis bypassed by the finished pack during the thirtysecond step of theconveyor 1 but the finished pack moves into register with an emptypocket 19 at the second transfer station 14 upon completion of thefortyeighth step of the conveyor 1. The pusher 18 advances in thedirection indicated by arrow 16 and transfers the finished pack 4'(wherein the adhesive was caused to set under the action of the heatingdevice lb) into the adjacent pocket 19 while the pocket 19 assumes theposition shown in FIG. 3. The pusher 18 is thereupon retracted (arrow17) and the conveyor 1 begins to advance the freshly evacuated pocket 2toward the first transfer station 8. Such empty pocket bypasses thetreating stations 25a and 25b which is desirable because the packs inpockets 2 flanking a pocket at the treating station 25a or 25b couldinterfere with the operation of folding instrumentalities 27, 28 and/or36, 37, particularly of the instrumentalities 36, 37 whose pivot axesare parallel to the axis of the drying conveyor 1. As shown in FIG. 1, apocket 2 which has been emptied at the second transfer station 14remains empty during successive steps of the conveyor 1. Thus, thelength of the interval during which a pocket 2 remains empty (15 steps)is only a small fraction of the length of the interval (48 steps) duringwhich a pack 4 or 4' dwells in its pocket. This enables the conveyor lto insure a satisfactory setting of adhesive in each pack 4 or 4'without in any way affecting the output of the packing machine since theconveyor 6 delivers a commodity consisting of an open-ended pack 4 8 and20 cigarettes 3 during each period of idleness of the conveyor 1 and theconveyor 21 accepts a finished pack 4' during each period of idleness ofthe conveyor 1.

The feature that the filled pockets 2 bypass the second transfer station14 during a first revolution of their contents about the axis of thedrying conveyor 1 is due to the fact that the distance between thetransfer stations 8 and 14 equals an odd number of distances a and thatthe length of each step performed by the conveyor 1 equals an evennumber of distances a. Also, and since the total number of pockets 2 isan odd number, each filled pack 4 bypasses the first transfer station 8during movement from the second treating station 25!; toward the secondtransfer station 14. Since the distances between the transfer station 8and the treating stations 25a, 25b respectively equal 38a and 40a, eachpack 4 moves into register with the folding units 24, 26 during firstrevolution about the axis of the conveyor 1 so that the adhesive betweenthe flaps 4b can set before the respective finished pack 4 moves intoregister with the pusher 18 while the conveyors l and 21 are idle.

It will be noted that, were the conveyor 1 driven by steps having alength a, a pack 4 which is transferred at the station 8 would reach andwould be removed at the station 14 after 33 steps. In accordance withthe invention, the conveyor 1 completes 48 steps before a pack 4 isremoved at the station 14.

The conveyor 1 can be provided with a large number of closely adjacentpockets 2 without permitting the packs 4 or 4 which are adjacent to thetreating station 25a or 25b to interfere with the operation of thefolding unit 24 or 26. This is due to the fact that the treatingstations 25a and 2512 are separated from each other by a space whichaccommodates an empty pocket 2 (see FIG. 1) and that the pocket whichprecedes the treating station 25a as well as the pocket which precedesor follows the treating station 25b is also empty.

Since the length of steps performed by the conveyor 1 is only 2a, theaccelerating and decelerating forces acting on the conveyor 1 arereadily controllable in spite of the fact that the conveyor carries arather large number of pockets 2 and, therefore, its diameter cannot bereduced at will even if the pockets are immediately adjacent to eachother.

Another advantage of the conveyor 1 is that the packs 4 and 4' can besubjected to a controlled heating action during travel from the transferstation 8 toward, past and beyond the transfer station 14, thereupontoward, past and beyond the transfer station 8, and back to the transferstation 14 for removal from the respective pockets 2. Thus, the dryingof adhesive can take longer because each pocket which receives a pack 4at the station 8 completes more than one full revolution prior to beingrelieved of its contents at the station 14.

FIG.'6 illustrates a modified drying or conditioning conveyor 101 whichis provided with seven equally spaced receiving means or pockets 102.The drive means for the conveyor 101 (including the shaft 101a) isdesigned to index the conveyor by steps of three times the distance abetween two neighboring pockets 102. The distance between the firsttransfer station 108 and the second transfer station 114 (as consideredin the direction of arrow 113 which indicates the direction of rotationof the conveyor 10]) is 4:1 and, therefore, the distance between thestation 114 and station 108 is 3a. Thus, the distance between thestations 108,

114 equals an even number of distances a, and the length of each stepperformed by the conveyor 101 is an odd multiple of a distance a. Itwill be seen that a pack (not shown) which is introduced into a pocket102 at the station 108 by the pusher 112 remains in the respectivepocket while the pocket completes a little more than 2% revolutions (asindicated by the spiral arrow 102A). This corresponds to six steps ofthe conveyor 101 whereas the distance from the station 108 to thestation 114 is only 4a.

The packing machine embodying the drying conveyor 101 can also compriseat least one treating station which is located downstream of the secondtransfer station 114. In this packing machine, a filled pocket 102downstream of the station 114 is separated from the next-followingfilled pocket by two empty pockets. Therefore, the packs in filledpockets are even less likely to interfere with movements of tucking,folding or like instrumentalities at a treating station which is locateddownstream of the station 114 but upstream of the station 108. Theconveyor 101 is preferably of lightweight construction because itperforms relatively long steps (3a). For example, such conveyor may bemade of a synthetic plastic material which may but need not bereinforced by metallic inserts.

In FIG. 7, the drying conveyor 201 has eight (i.e., an even number of)receiving means or pockets 202; the distance from the first transferstation 208 to the second station 214 (as considered in the direction ofarrow 213) is five times the distance a between two neighboring pockets202; and the transmission including the shaft 201a is designed toadvance the conveyor 201 by steps having a length of 3a. A pack which isintroduced by pusher 212 into an empty pocket 202 at the transferstation 208 completes more than 2% revolutions prior to being removed bythe pusher 218 at the transfer station 214. This corresponds to sevensteps of the conveyor 201. The path covered by a freshly filled pocket202 prior to removal of its contents at the station 214 is indicated bya spiral arrow 202A.

The drying conveyor 301 of FIG. 8 has 14 (even number) pockets orreceiving means 302, and the transmission including the shaft 301a isdesigned to advance the conveyor 301 by steps having a length 3a whereina is the distance between two neighboring pockets 302. The distancebetween the first transfer station 308 and the second transfer station314 (as considered in the direction of arrow 313) is 8a (even number). Apack which is transferred by pusher 312 into an empty pocket 302 at thetransfer station 308 completes more than 2% revolutions prior to removalof its contents by the pusher 318 at the station 314. Thus, the conveyor301 completes twelve steps whereas the distance between the stations308, 314 equals only 8a. The path along which a filled pocket 302advances prior to removal of its contents is indicated by the spiralarrow 302A.

Each of the conveyors 101, 201, 301 can move filled pockets 102, 202 or302 into register with one or more folding or other treating units (notshown) corresponding or analogous to the units 24, 26 and locateddownstream of the second transfer station 114, 214 or 314. In thestructure shown in FIG. 8, a treating station can be provided at adistance ahead of the station 308 so that a filled pocket 302 whichdwells at such treating station is separated from the next-followingfilled pocket by two empty pockets and from the station 308 by one emptypocket. If the number of pockets 302 is .two neighboring pockets and xis a whole number exceeding one is practically inexhaustible. In theillustrated embodiments, the drying conveyor can comprise an even numberof pockets while the conveyor performs steps of a length which is an oddmultiple x of the distance a, or the drying conveyor can comprise aneven or odd number of pockets while the conveyor performs steps of alength which is an odd or even multiple x of the distance a. However, ineach instance, the dis- I tance from the first to the second transferstation is m times the distance a (wherein m is a whole number includingone) but the distance from the first transfer station to the secondtransfer station is unequal to n lengths of a step wherein n is also awhole number including one. As a further rudimentary example, the dryingconveyor can be provided with nine pockets, the distance m from thefirst to the second transfer station may a, and the conveyor can beindexed by steps having a length 1: times a wherein x equals 2. In suchpacking machine, a pocket which receives a pack at the first transferstation completes a little more than one full revolution prior toremoval of the pack at the second transfer station. The conveyor mustcomplete five steps at times a in order to move a filled pocket intoregister with the second transfer station whereas the distance m betweenthe two stations (as considered in the direction of movement of theconveyor) equals the distance a between two neighboring pockets.

It is further clear that the invention can be embodied in machineswherein the conveyor which carries an annulus of equally spacedreceiving means for commodities which form part of or constitute smokersproducts can perform steps of having a length of x times a wherein x isa whole number exceeding three. However, it is presently preferred toutilize drying conveyors which are indexed to perform steps of two orthree times the distance a because longer steps take up more time or thedrying conveyor must be subjected to the action of pronouncedaccelerating and/or decelerating forces which could adversely affect theuseful life of the conveyor, drive means, bearings and/or other parts ina modern high-speed cigarette packing or like machine.

An important advantage of the improved machine is that the total lengthof periods of dwell of packs and/or other commodities in or on aconditioning conveyor can be prolonged without reducing the output ofthe machine. Moreover, the receiving means of the conveyor can be placedvery close to each other without the danger that such closeness ofneighboring receiving means would interfere with the operation of one ormore folding or other treating units. This is due to the fact that thetreating unit or units (such as those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) areinstalled at stations which are located downstream of the secondtransfer station but upstream of the first transfer station, asconsidered in the direction of movement of the receiving means.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for var- 11 ious applications without omitting featureswhich fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic andspecific aspects of my contribution to the art and, therefore, suchadaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within themeaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended:

1. In a machine for manipulating cigarettes, cigarette packs and/oranalogous commodities forming part of or constituting smokers products,particularly in a packing machine, a combination comprising conveyormeans having an annulus of equally spaced receiving means forcommodities, the neighboring receiving means of said annulus beingspaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; drive meansfor moving said conveyor means stepwise in a predetermined directionthrough second distances each of which is a whole multiple of said firstdistance whereby the receiving means travel along an endless path pastspaced-apart first and second transfer stations; means for feedingcommodities to receiving means at said first transfer station duringintervals between successive movements of said conveyor means; and meansfor accepting commodities from receiving means at said second transferstation during intervals between successive movements of said conveyormeans, the distance between said second and first stations, asconsidered in said direction, being equal to at least one full seconddistance and the distance between said first and second stations, asconsidered in said direction, being equal to m first distances wherein mis a whole number including one and unequal to n second distanceeswherein n is a whole number including one, whereby each commodity whichis fed to a receiving means at said first transfer station bypasses saidsecond and first stations at least once prior to coming to a halt atsaid second transfer station and each receiving means which is relievedof a commodity at said second transfer station thereupon comes to a haltat said first transfer station to receive a fresh commodity.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said annulus consists ofan odd number of receiving means and said second distance is twice saidfirst distance.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said annulus consists ofan odd number of receiving means and said second distance is three timessaid first distance.

4. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said annulus consists ofan even number of receiving means and said second distance is threetimes said first distance.

5. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising means fortreating the commodities in said receiving means at at least one thirdstation between said second and first stations.

6. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said commodities includedeformable wrapping material and said means for treating includes meansfor deforming the material of commodities in receiving means at saidthird station.

7. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said conveyor meanscomprises a rotary drum and said receiving means are disposed at theperiphery of'said drum.

8. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said conveyor meansfurther comprises means for heattreating the commodities in saidreceiving means.

9. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the commodities fed tothe receiving means at said first station include open-ended packs andfurther comprising means for closing the packs. at at least one furtherstation located between said second and first stations during intervalsbetween successive movements of said conveyor means.

10. A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein the commodities fed tothe receiving means at said first station further include arrays ofrod-shaped articles in the respective packs and said conveyor meansfurther comprises means for heating the packs in said receiving means.

1. In a machine for manipulating cigarettes, cigarette packs and/oranalogous commodities forming part of or constituting smokers''products, particularly in a packing machine, a combination comprisingconveyor means having an annulus of equally spaced receiving means forcommodities, the neighboring receiving means of said annulus beingspaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; drive meansfor moving said conveyor means stepwise in a predetermined directionthrough second distances each of which is a whole multiple of said firstdistance whereby the receiving means travel along an endless path pastspaced-apart first and second transfer stations; means for feedingcommodities to receiving means at said first transfer station duringintervals between successive movements of said conveyor means; and meansfor accepting commodities from receiving means at said second transferstation during intervals between successive movements of said conveyormeans, the distance between said second and first stations, asconsidered in said direction, being equal to at least one full seconddistance and the distance between said first and second stations, asconsidered in said direction, being equal to m first distances wherein mis a whole number including one and unequal to n second distanceeswherein n is a whole number including one, whereby each commodity whichis fed to a receiving means at said first transfer station bypasses saidsecond and first stations at least once prior to coming to a halt atsaid second transfer station and each receiving means which is relievedof a commodity at said second transfer station thereupon comes to a haltat said first transfer station to receive a fresh commodity.
 2. Acombination as defined in claim 1, wherein said annulus consists of anodd number of receiving means and said second distance is twice saidfirst distance.
 3. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein saidannulus consists of an odd number of receiving means and said seconddistance is three times said first distance.
 4. A combination as definedin claim 1, wherein said annulus consists of an even number of receivingmeans and said second distance is three times said first distance.
 5. Acombination as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for treatingthe commodities in said receiving means at at least one third stationbetween said second and first stations.
 6. A combination as defined inclaim 5, wherein said commodities include deformable wrapping materialand said means for treating includes means for deforming the material ofcommodities in receiving means at said third station.
 7. A combinationas defined in claim 1, wherein said conveyor means comprises a rotarydrum and said receiving means are disposed at the periphery of saiddrum.
 8. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said conveyormeans further comprises means for heat-treating the commodities in saidreceiving means.
 9. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein thecommodities fed to the receiving means at said first station includeopen-ended packs and further comprising means for closing the packs atat least one further station located between said second and firststations during intervals between successive movements of said conveyormeans.
 10. A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein the commoditiesfed to the receiving means at said first station further include arraysof rod-shaped articles in the respective packs and said conveyor meansfurther comprises means for heating the packs in said receiving means.